APLS
BEARISH
$18.94
Live
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · NASDAQ
Target $33.6
(+77.4%)
$16.1
52W Range
$30.48
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated Mar 14, 2026
Market cap
$2.42B
P/E
105.22
ROE
7.5%
Profit margin
2.2%
Debt/Equity
1.28
Dividend yield
N/A
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
85%
APLS exhibits weak financial health per the Piotroski F-Score of 4/9, indicating a fragile foundation despite some positive gross margins and cash reserves. The company is unprofitable with negative operating margins and declining revenue, while insider selling activity and a bearish technical trend signal pessimism. Although the Graham Number ($3.44) and intrinsic value ($1.26) suggest deep undervaluation, the current price of $18.94 reflects high growth expectations that are not supported by fundamentals. The absence of an Altman Z-Score raises concern about default risk, especially given a debt/equity ratio of 1.28 and negative earnings. Analysts recommend 'buy' with a target of $33.60, but this optimism appears disconnected from deteriorating operational and financial trends.
Key Strengths
High gross margin of 60.34% indicates strong pricing power or low production costs
Current ratio of 3.14 and quick ratio of 2.59 suggest strong short-term liquidity
Positive earnings surprises in 2 out of the last 4 quarters (average +29.25%) show potential for upside in earnings execution
Graham Number of $3.44 implies a defensive fair value floor, suggesting potential downside protection
Analyst consensus is 'buy' with a high target price of $33.60, indicating market optimism on future catalysts
Key Risks
Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 indicates weak financial health and deteriorating fundamentals
Negative operating margin (-25.58%) and declining revenue (YoY -5.90%) signal ongoing operational inefficiencies
Insiders sold $1.47M worth of shares in the last 6 months with no buys, signaling lack of confidence
No Altman Z-Score available, but debt/equity of 1.28 and negative earnings raise bankruptcy risk concerns
Forward P/E of -77.94 and negative earnings growth (-62.1% YoY) indicate no near-term profitability
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$3.44
-81.8% below current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
36
Weak
65
30
50
35
0
AI Verdict
bearish
Key drivers: Weak Piotroski F-Score (4/9), Negative revenue and earnings growth, High insider selling, Lack of profitability, Overvaluation relative to fundamentals
Confidence
85%
Value
65/100
Stock trades at a massive premium to Graham Number and intrinsic value, reflecting speculative growth expectations rather than fundamentals.
Positives
- Graham Number of $3.44 suggests defensive fair value
- Intrinsic value of $1.26 provides a theoretical floor
Watchpoints
- Current price of $18.94 is 450% above Graham Number
- P/E of 105.22 is extremely high for a loss-making company
- Forward P/E of -77.94 indicates no earnings expectations
Future
30/100
Future outlook is highly uncertain; growth expectations are not supported by current performance.
Positives
- Analyst target price of $33.60 implies strong upside potential
- Recent earnings surprises (e.g., +77.3%) show potential for positive catalysts
Watchpoints
- Revenue growth is declining (-5.90% YoY)
- Earnings growth is negative (-62.1% YoY)
- Q/Q EPS growth of -128.1% indicates worsening profitability
Past
50/100
Historical performance shows inconsistent execution and deteriorating fundamentals despite occasional beat.
Positives
- Some quarters beat estimates (2/4 in last 4)
- Average earnings surprise of +29.25% over last 4 quarters
Watchpoints
- Multiple quarters with large negative surprises (e.g., -114.4%, -71.4%)
- Persistent losses and declining earnings trend over 5 years
- 5-year stock return of -59.8% reflects long-term underperformance
Health
35/100
Financial health is weak due to poor profitability and low Piotroski score, despite liquidity buffers.
Positives
- Strong current and quick ratios (3.14, 2.59) indicate liquidity strength
- No Altman Z-Score available, but current ratios suggest low immediate default risk
Watchpoints
- Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 is below threshold for financial stability
- Negative operating margin (-25.58%) and ROE (7.48%) despite losses
- Debt/Equity of 1.28 is elevated for a biotech with no earnings
Dividend
0/100
No dividend policy; company is not in a position to pay dividends.
Positives
No standout positives identified.
Watchpoints
- No dividend paid (dividend yield = N/A)
- Payout ratio = 0.00%
- Dividend strength = 0/100
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$18.94
Analyst Target
$33.6
Upside/Downside
+77.4%
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for APLS and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-03-13
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
APLS
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Primary
|
-59.8% | -70.9% | -22.3% | -23.8% | -15.1% | -5.6% |
|
RARE
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Peer
|
-76.5% | -39.5% | -30.5% | -24.0% | +21.3% | +6.5% |
|
GRDN
Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc.
Peer
|
+137.1% | +137.1% | +57.2% | +30.6% | +11.0% | +1.6% |
|
LFST
LifeStance Health Group, Inc.
Peer
|
-70.8% | -18.8% | -5.5% | +26.7% | -3.6% | +1.4% |
|
XRAY
DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
Peer
|
-80.0% | -68.7% | -7.0% | -8.3% | +3.8% | -1.6% |
APL
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Primary
5Y
-59.8%
3Y
-70.9%
1Y
-22.3%
6M
-23.8%
1M
-15.1%
1W
-5.6%
RAR
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Peer
5Y
-76.5%
3Y
-39.5%
1Y
-30.5%
6M
-24.0%
1M
+21.3%
1W
+6.5%
GRD
Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+137.1%
3Y
+137.1%
1Y
+57.2%
6M
+30.6%
1M
+11.0%
1W
+1.6%
LFS
LifeStance Health Group, Inc.
Peer
5Y
-70.8%
3Y
-18.8%
1Y
-5.5%
6M
+26.7%
1M
-3.6%
1W
+1.4%
XRA
DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
Peer
5Y
-80.0%
3Y
-68.7%
1Y
-7.0%
6M
-8.3%
1M
+3.8%
1W
-1.6%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
105.22
Forward P/E
-77.94
PEG Ratio
N/A
P/B Ratio
6.48
P/S Ratio
2.41
EV/Revenue
2.42
EV/EBITDA
42.6
Market Cap
$2.42B
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
2.23%
Operating Margin
-25.58%
Gross Margin
60.34%
ROE
7.48%
ROA
3.53%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
-5.9%
Earnings Growth
N/A
Q/Q Revenue Growth
N/A
Q/Q Earnings Growth
N/A
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
1.28
Moderate
Current Ratio
3.14
Strong
Quick Ratio
2.59
Excellent
Cash/Share
$3.66
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-05-07
$N/A
2026-02-24
$-0.47
-19.4% surprise
2025-10-30
$1.67
+77.3% surprise
2025-07-31
$-0.33
+29.8% surprise
Healthcare Sector Comparison
Comparing APLS against 560 companies in the Healthcare sector
(34 bullish, 167 neutral, 359 bearish)
P/E Ratio
105.22
This Stock
vs
75.44
Sector Avg
+39.5%
(Expensive)
Return on Equity (ROE)
7.48%
This Stock
vs
-88.14%
Sector Avg
-108.5%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
2.23%
This Stock
vs
-16.28%
Sector Avg
-113.7%
(Weaker)
Debt to Equity
1.28
This Stock
vs
2.66
Sector Avg
-51.9%
(Less Debt)
Revenue Growth
-5.9%
This Stock
vs
124.04%
Sector Avg
-104.8%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
3.14
This Stock
vs
4.47
Sector Avg
-29.9%
(Weaker)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
APLS
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
BEARISH | $2.42B | 105.22 | 7.5% | 2.2% | $18.94 | |
|
RARE
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
|
BEARISH | $2.44B | - | -608.5% | -85.4% | $24.81 | Compare |
|
GRDN
Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc.
|
BEARISH | $2.44B | 48.63 | 26.6% | 3.4% | $37.93 | Compare |
|
LFST
LifeStance Health Group, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $2.45B | 320.0 | 0.7% | 0.7% | $6.4 | Compare |
|
XRAY
DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
|
BEARISH | $2.38B | - | -36.4% | -16.2% | $11.9 | Compare |
APLS
Apellis...
BEARISH
Mkt Cap
$2.4B
P/E
105.2
ROE
7.5%
Price
$18.94
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-27 | DOLSTEN MIKAEL G | Director | Stock Award | 14,312 | - |
| 2026-02-11 | DELONG MARK JEFFREY | Officer | Sale | 368 | $8,153 |
| 2026-02-03 | FRANCOIS CEDRIC | Chief Executive Officer | Option Exercise | 8,840 | $33,238 |
| 2026-01-28 | SULLIVAN TIMOTHY EUGENE | Chief Financial Officer | Stock Award | 58,140 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | FRANCOIS CEDRIC | Chief Executive Officer | Stock Award | 195,952 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | BOUCHER KELLEY | Officer | Stock Award | 30,146 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | LESLIE MELTZER | Officer | Stock Award | 45,220 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | WATSON DAVID OSBORNE | General Counsel | Stock Award | 55,986 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | DESCHATELETS PASCAL | Officer | Stock Award | 25,840 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | NICHOLSON NUR | Chief Technology Officer | Stock Award | 45,220 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | CHOPAS JAMES GEORGE | Officer | Stock Award | 16,150 | - |
| 2026-01-28 | DELONG MARK JEFFREY | Officer | Stock Award | 36,606 | - |
| 2026-01-22 | BAUMAL CAROLINE | Officer | Sale | 2,797 | $60,878 |
| 2026-01-22 | NICHOLSON NUR | Chief Technology Officer | Sale | 7,725 | $168,138 |
| 2026-01-22 | CHOPAS JAMES GEORGE | Officer | Sale | 2,064 | $44,924 |
DOLSTEN MIKAEL G
Director
2026-02-27
14,312 shares
DELONG MARK JEFFREY
Officer
2026-02-11
368 shares
·
$8,153
FRANCOIS CEDRIC
Chief Executive Officer
2026-02-03
8,840 shares
·
$33,238
SULLIVAN TIMOTHY EUGENE
Chief Financial Officer
2026-01-28
58,140 shares
FRANCOIS CEDRIC
Chief Executive Officer
2026-01-28
195,952 shares
BOUCHER KELLEY
Officer
2026-01-28
30,146 shares
LESLIE MELTZER
Officer
2026-01-28
45,220 shares
WATSON DAVID OSBORNE
General Counsel
2026-01-28
55,986 shares
DESCHATELETS PASCAL
Officer
2026-01-28
25,840 shares
NICHOLSON NUR
Chief Technology Officer
2026-01-28
45,220 shares
CHOPAS JAMES GEORGE
Officer
2026-01-28
16,150 shares
DELONG MARK JEFFREY
Officer
2026-01-28
36,606 shares
BAUMAL CAROLINE
Officer
2026-01-22
2,797 shares
·
$60,878
NICHOLSON NUR
Chief Technology Officer
2026-01-22
7,725 shares
·
$168,138
CHOPAS JAMES GEORGE
Officer
2026-01-22
2,064 shares
·
$44,924
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning APLS from our newsroom.
Newest → oldest
No matching news yet.